Risa Hontiveros, Twitter users fire back at slut-shaming netizen over SONA dress

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Risa Hontiveros, author of the “Bawal Bastos” law, was not spared from sexist remarks.

Senators posed for a group photo during the opening of the 18th Congress on Monday, July 22, and a Twitter user commented that the opposition senator’s dress made her look like a “thirsty slut.”

The Senator posted a screenshot of the tweet, and fired back, “Stop telling women how to dress.”

Senator Hontiveros was wearing a piña barong dress patterned after the traditional baro’t saya.

LOOK: Senator Risa Hontiveros arrives at the Senate. This morning, she said that President Duterte’s SONA “should not be a personal lecture” but a “report” on his plans on maintaining sovereignty in the West PH Sea, blueprint for economy and infrastructure. | via @reyaika pic.twitter.com/4WaRHInYtx

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) July 22, 2019

Other Filipinos online also called out the author of the tweet, saying his comment was out of place and sexist:

Dear Carlo Malonzo,

Please use your brain. Don’t tell women how to dress. Educate yourself. https://t.co/cujAQKhDVm

— AYA (@hiayatoot) July 22, 2019

Imagine being so inept that you think more about how people dress than the state of our country. People can dress however they like https://t.co/1ieioyMbJY

— Karl Rodil.NEF (@Karlculated) July 22, 2019

I’m not one of Risa H’s biggest fans. But just because she just had a wardrobe malfunction and you automatically think she’s a *thirsty hoe*? So, apparently, may mali sa pagpapalaki sa iyo because you call women hoes because they’re not wrapped up like mummies.

Shame on you. https://t.co/rd7hdIFxRh

— Layla Medina (@noammunition) July 22, 2019

also, specifically calling her a slut online falls under the newly signed anti-harassment law, so congratulations, criminal. https://t.co/45OMhlBtkb

—MANGO @ WRATH MONTH(@bae_warden) July 22, 2019

And there will never be a time and place for a misogynistic comment like yours. Sit down. 🙂 https://t.co/MoubWc6GU3

— kennjhy(@kenncastillo_) July 22, 2019

Wala namang mababastos kung walang bastos. https://t.co/LzWrM72Xgc

— Jules (@rombutans) July 22, 2019

Ay, di ako na-inform. ‘Thirsty slut’ ka na pala kapag nakitaan ka ng tuhod.https://t.co/6QqEcpGayA

— S E E Y A R A (@seeyara) July 22, 2019

Dear Carlo,

Stop thinking with your genitals, there’s nothing wrong with her dress. It’s your uncontrollable urge to be a pig towards her just because you see a little skin. #ShutUp https://t.co/f5X3BFNYvd

— it’s madame rih to you (@rihj_) July 22, 2019

Imagine calling the author of the Safe Spaces Act, the law that punishes online sexual harassment with a fine of at least 100K pesos, a “thirsty slut.” https://t.co/Be2k6KRTAO

— Amer Madcasim Jr. (@AmerMadcasimJr) July 22, 2019

– Rappler.com

For highlights of President Duterte’s 4th SONA, check out our live blog.

For related stories, visit Rappler’s 2019 State of the Nation Address page.

Rappler takes a deeper look at the first half of Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency – its highs and lows, its achievements and shortcomings: Duterte Year 3: The Halfway Mark